The Best Coffee Machines For Home
There's no universally-fit-all coffee maker. We've rounded up our top picks for your home, from a fully automated that grinds and packs your beans, to semi-automatics that give you the most control over your espresso.
The Breville Oracle Touch strikes the perfect balance between automation and needing to be able to master the art of espresso-making. This is our top choice for a coffee-to-cup machine.
1. Rocket Appartamento
Rocket Appartamento is a great option for those who want to make espresso at their home without sacrificing quality. This small-footprint espresso machine was created for those who have limited counter space. It has a great build quality and a small footprint. It is equipped with a 1.8 liter copper heat-exchange boiler and commercial E61 Group Head so you can steam your milk and brew coffee at same at the same time.
The machine also looks great and features a round insert on the side panel with engravings of steam and hot water spouts. This is a new take on Rocket's classic aesthetic and is already impressive for a small machine. It also includes the black pressure gauge, which indicates when the boiler is ready to use.
The water reservoir and drip tray are smaller on this model than other models. This means you'll have to be vigilant about emptying and refilling the machine, particularly when you are using it regularly. This is a normal trade-off for smaller footprint, however this is not a problem that is unique to this model.
This machine is capable of handling your
coffee machines best demands. We recommend investing in a quality grinder, like the Baratza Sette Giante, to increase consistency and flavor. You can also use this machine in conjunction with a Rocket portafilter to improve the grinding process.
Rocket Appartamento, as a prosumer machine, makes delicious drinks and it is simple to make latte arts. It's important to know that this machine was not intended for novices. There is a little learning curve for those upgrading from appliance-grade espresso machines. The heat exchange boiler may be a bit difficult to manage, and you will have to learn the ins and outs of cooling flushes.
Both the Lelit Bianca and the Rocket Appartamento offer the option of connecting to a water supply, that means you will always have fresh, cold filtering water available for your drinks. The latter has smaller 2.25-liter tank that can be harder to refill.
2. Lavazza A Modo Mio Jolie
This machine is built to Lavazza's highest standards. It is quick to reach the brewing temperature, allowing you to make your first cup of coffee in less than 35 seconds. The tank can be filled easily, as the lid can be removed to create the large hole. You can also fill it up with tap water if that's what you prefer.
The Lavazza A Modo Mio is the smallest model in the models, but it is a powerful machine. It's priced less than PS100 at full price and is much less expensive than the Nespresso Essenza or similar machines from SMEG or Desea. The Jolie is a great alternative for those who do not have the space or funds for traditional espresso machines, but still want to experience the authentic Italian espresso.
The Jolie is simple to use and occupies very small counter space. It's as easy as pressing one button to turn on the machine, and then press it again to begin dispensing the chosen pod. There's a backlight on the button so that you are able to see clearly how much has been dispensed and you can choose to stop the process at any time in case you prefer drinking your pod in smaller doses.
This model doesn't come with a steam wand, however, you can add creamy foam to your milk with an optional milk frother. It's also quiet and can be used to make coffee in a small kitchen workspace.
They aren't inexpensive, but there's a wide variety of blends to choose from that will satisfy everyone from the mildest to the most demanding espresso drinkers. They are available in most supermarkets, along with regular ground coffee and coffee beans and you can also buy Lavazza A Modo Mio compatible pods on the internet.
The Jolie and milk is a sleek capsule machine that has an integrated milk warmer. It comes in a box with an 75cm power cable, plug, a quick-guide and warranty card, as well as a test box that contains nine Lavazza pods that include six roasts (two Qualita Rossa, two Lungo Dolce and two Delizioso) and two decaffeinated (Dek Cremoso). The machine is small enough to be placed under a cupboard or on flat surfaces.
3. Breville BES870XL
At first glance at first glance, the Breville Barista Express looks like an espresso machine that is beyond the budget of a majority of consumers. If you're willing put in the work to learn how to use it, this is an excellent espresso maker for your home that performs better than some of the more expensive models available. It's a great price for the class and is especially useful for those who aren't experienced enough to have an espresso machine, which can cost up to $100.
The model is just in the middle of the range for Breville (their Oracle is the most expensive at $2,199) however, it's an excellent option for baristas at home on a tight budget. It comes with a variety of customizable features, and even an integrated burr mill to make it more affordable. It's also a one-boiler machine, which means that it can only do one thing at one time.
Although it is a relatively newcomer to the espresso machine market, Breville has quickly made an impact through their top-quality machines. This machine is no different, and it has just enough control to let aspiring baristas improve their abilities without spending more than they need to.
It's not without its quirks, though. One example is that the hopper in this model is located on the side of the unit, instead of being on top. This isn't really significant however it can be annoying if you're trying give multiple shots at once. The rear placement of the tank makes it difficult to see how much liquid remains.
But if you're prepared to learn how to master the Breville Barista Express, it's an ideal, all-purpose machine for anyone who is a coffee lover at home. The only downside is the price, which can be a deterrent for certain buyers. If you're looking for an affordable option, we recommend the Gaggia Classic and the La Pavoni Impresso. Both machines have similar capabilities and offer a little more control than the Barista Express. However, they are a fraction of the price.
4. OXO Brew 9 Cup
A high-tech smart machine for
coffee drip machine with a simple user interface that produces great
coffee Machines latte. The sleek stainless steel design and backlit LED display creates a chic kitchen design. It has only one dial to program the number of cups you would like it to make and includes the 2-4 cup setting and a 5-9 cup setting. The brewing method is similar to pour over the grounds, which many
coffee machines small lovers believe makes the best tasting coffee. The water is heated to the right temperature, then poured evenly over the coffee grounds using shower heads. The brewed coffee then collects in the double-walled, thermal carafe, which can last up to 60 minutes. The pause and pour function allows you to remove the carafe while brewing to fill your cup to the brim. The machine stops the brewing process and shows a red light on its LED interface, until you return the carafe. It then resumes the brewing process.
The OXO 9-Cup coffee maker comes SCAA certified, meaning it meets the organization’s strict standards in terms of technology. The brew cycles it uses are the same as those of the Bodum Bistro and Technivorm Moccamaster 741 but it gives you more control over temperature and brewing time.
In our tests, the OXO Brew 9-Cup produced an excellent drip coffee and a full-carafe of
automatic coffee machines in 7 minutes and 41 seconds.